One of the great things about writing a regular blog is how it’s pushed me to experience and learn new things. It has driven me to attend events I never would have otherwise, and helped me meet terrific people I never would have met.

That’s what happened last Friday night, when I went to the grand opening celebration of one of Webster’s newest businesses, Dock 2 Letterpress. I decided to go after getting a press release which said that the new owners had “acquired a vast collection of wood and metal type and working antique letterpresses” which visitors would be able to actually operate that evening.

The place sounded more like a museum than a printer. Plus, they were also promising appetizers, beverages and door prizes. I was hooked.

So Friday night I found myself in the middle of a warehouse floor, surrounded by drawers and drawers of wood and metal type, a dozen antique letterpresses, and the intoxicating smell of ink. (Anyone who has ever put a book up to their nose to appreciate the aroma knows what I’m talking about.) It was a wordsmith’s paradise.

I met Dave Eckler, whom you might call the curator of the collection, and his right-hand man Tony Zanni. They were assisted by several employees, RIT interns and retired pressmen. I spent about an hour there watching the ribbon-cutting, talking to the pressmen, and taking advantage of the opportunity to actually operate a few of the machines. Being able to print my own poster on a turn-of-the century handpress was kind of cool. And the snacks and beverages were top notch.

Irma and John Hallauer print a bookmark, assisted by long-time pressman Ray Czapkowski.

But what that struck me most that evening was how passionate these people are about letterpress. They love the feel of the machines and the smell of the ink. They take great care to keep the presses in good working order and are like proud papas when they show off the artwork created on them.

And it is artwork. That’s one of the things I learned that night. There might be dozens of design decisions that have to be made for one small printed piece, and when everything comes together just right, it’s a work of art. It’s this appreciation of the art, and the skills it entails, that Dave wants to pass on to the next generation with the help of his new business.

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Missy Rosenberry, a graduate of Cornell University, spent many of her post-college years in radio, advertising and public relations. After taking most of the 1990s off to have her three children, she is now a full-time teaching assistant for the Webster school district, and a part-time karate instructor. She and husband Jack have lived in the Webster/Penfield area with the kids for 11 years. She'd like to use her blog to help others learn more about the Webster community.

Roderick Spratling is a husband and father of two who has lived in the community for over 18 years. Born and raised in Detroit, Spratling is a 1976 graduate of Michigan State University who earned a master’s degree in Manufacturing Management & Leadership from RIT in 2004. He’s a Purchasing Consultant in Global Purchasing for Xerox Corp., and he enjoys softball, bowling, photography, and traveling.